Breean Beggs appointed to city committee investigating Spokane police chief controversy

A committee of Spokane City Hall officials that is helping lead the investigation into recent turmoil in the police department and at city hall got a new member Monday night: Spokane City Councilman Breean Beggs.

Beggs, an attorney and police department watchdog, will replace Councilwoman Karen Stratton, who said she resigned from the committee after she was asked to be interviewed by the investigator, Kris Cappel, to avoid an appearance of conflict.

“I know nothing about what happened,” Beggs said when asked why he was named to the committee. Beggs was recently appointed to the City Council, and was largely outside of City Hall during former police Chief Frank Straub’s ouster and other related issues.

On the committee, Beggs joins Brian McClatchey, the City Council’s policy adviser; Rick Romero, the city’s utilities head; and Laura McAloon, an attorney. They have agreed to speak publicly on the matter only when they unanimously agree on a statement.

Beggs was appointed to the committee by the City Council in a unanimous vote.